Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, right, with owner and operator of Inverell’s Freckles Café Jenny Thomas, who has been collecting signatures on the rural health services petition.
Monday, 8 August 2022
AMOST two weeks since the launch of the electorate-wide community petition calling on the NSW Parliament to split the Hunter New England Health District, directly employ doctors in rural hospitals and dramatically increase nursing numbers – the half-way milestone of more than 5,000 signatures has already been reached.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall said the response to the petition had been overwhelming and is calling on the community to keep up momentum so the required 10,000 signature threshold is reached.
“Since we launched this petition, the response from communities large and small across our region has been mind-blowing and I’m confident that we can maintain that momentum to reach the goal of 10,000 signatures and go well beyond that,” Mr Marshall said.
“Every signature is hugely important and it has been amazing how businesses, community groups, councils and individuals have taken on the challenge to get the petition to as many people as possible.
“The 10,000 signatures are need to trigger a debate on the floor of State Parliament and force immediate action.”
The MP said that since the launch of the petition, he had heard directly from scores of residents keen to share their own experiences of disappointment and frustration when seeking treatment at our local hospitals.
“The groundswell of dissent clearly demonstrates to the government that this is a burning issue for many in our region and that we won’t rest until we are heard and changes made,” Mr Marshall said.
“If you have not yet signed the petition yet, get out there and get it done people-power can win the day – sign this petition and show your support for this push, to save our rural health system and back our hard-working local health staff.”
The petition will be available in all local council administration centres and local businesses in every town across the region. It can also be signed in the MP’s office at Moree and Armidale. Copies of the petition can also be posted or emailed, and you can request that by calling the Electorate office on 6772 5552.
People have until 30 September to sign the petition, before Mr Marshall tables it in State Parliament.